The Greenpatch camping ground in Gordonvale reopened today (23 December) with additional measures in place to safeguard users from the risks of flash flooding.
On the banks of the Mulgrave River, which is prone to flooding, Council closed the popular campground on 2 Novemberat the recommendation of the Local Disaster Management Committee (LDMG), in response to predicted weather patterns associated with the influence of La Nina.
Council has installed temporary barriers to cordoned off lower areas of the campground that would likely be inundated during the wet season should the neighbouring Hemming Creek experience a flash flooding event.
The facility has a warning system which is triggered by rising water levels in the Mulgrave River and Hemming Creek.
However, while rising waters from the Mulgrave River trigger an alarm that provides a two- to three-hour warning before flooding of the campground, Hemming Creek can be susceptible to rapid rises that would provide limited time for evacuation.
The cordoning off of the lower campground will limit the facility to 15 sites during the annual wet season.
As part of COVID safety measures, all users must check-in and check-out using the onsite QR code.
Council will install bollards and additional signage in 2021 as part of a strategy to enable the Greenpatch campground to remain open all year-round.
